Israeli police say an American-Israeli prisoner killed in a shootout with prison guards had fired a weapon that was smuggled into jail.

Police initially said that inmate Samuel Sheinbein stole a gun from one of his guards before special forces shot him dead Sunday. But police spokeswoman Luba Samri said Monday the inmate apparently smuggled the gun into jail. She said the matter was being investigated.

Sheinbein, who was 34, fled from the U.S. to Israel after murdering and dismembering a Maryland man in 1997. His case sparked a high-profile row between the allies after he received refuge from extradition.

It is unclear how Sheinbein obtained the weapon. Israeli media reported he recently was caught trying to steal a weapon on a prison furlough.